Events
Palm Springs has many events that come around every year at the same time. Here is a list of most of them. Check the websites to confirm exact dates. For a daily calendar of local events, check here.
January
Palm Springs International Film Festival
January 5-16, 2023 – A star-studded award gala kicks off a week of new film screenings and events. Directors and stars host many Q&A panels after the movies.
February
Tour de Palm Springs
February 11, 2023 – A charity bike ride with class and distance categories for every skill level.
Intersect Palm Springs
TBS – mid February 2023 – A weekend-long contemporary art show at the Palm Springs Convention center, with a VIP gala on Thursday night.
Modernism Week
February 16-26, 2023 – A celebration of Palm Springs rich mid-century architecture and all things “modern”. Featuring home tours, parties, and a great three hour city tour on a double decker bus.
Riverside County Fair and Date Festival
February 17-26, 2023- A large county fair with rides and food booths, with an emphasis on the local date harvest. If you’ve ever had a hankering to try deep fried foods on a stick, this is your chance!
Int'l Bear Convergence
February 23-27 2023 – A four day event for gay bears and admirers, with pool parties, pop-up shops, and concerts.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
TBS late February 2023 – Held twice a year, in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
Greek Festival
TBS – late February ???? – Weekend event in Palm Desert, with music, food, and dancing,
March
La Quinta Art Celebration
TBS early March 2023 – More than 200 artists, gourmet food court, cocktails and live entertainment.
BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament
March 10-19, 2023 – Acclaimed tennis tournament with celebrity sports figures in Indian Wells. The tournament is a Masters 1000 event on the men’s tour and is a WTA 1000 event event on the women’s tour.
Desert Open Studios Art
TBS mid March 2023 – Free, self-guided tour of Coachella Valley artists and studios.
El Paseo Fashion Week
TBS late March 2023 – A fashion show that highlights avant-garde designs and top designers from the fashion world. With exclusive trunk shows, runway events and parties.
Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival
TBS late March 2023 – Tasting event with more than 60 restaurants and 40 wineries, breweries and distilleries. Music, classes, and more.
April
Indian Wells Arts Festival
TBS early April 2023 – Jazz music, cocktails, and the works of over 200 artists. At the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens.
Opera in the Park
TBS early April 2023 – A free Sunday event with some great up-and-coming opera singers. It’s often nice weather for a day in the park, but bring some shade or purchase a VIP ticket.
Coachella Music Festival
April 14-16 & 21-23, 2023 – Huge two-weekend music and art festival in Indio, with events and parties in the area in between weekends.
Stagecoach
April 28-30 2023 – Like Coachella Music Festival but with country acts, mainstream or relatively unknown ranging from folk, mainstream country, bluegrass, roots rock, and alternative country.
May
White Party
May 12-14, 2023 – Weekend-long gay dance party with multiple events, pool parties, and celebrity headliners.
Oasis Music Festival
TBS mid May 2023 – An all-genre festival with performances that will take place throughout the City of Palm Springs.
June
Palm Springs Restaurant Week
TBS mid June 2023 – Dozens of restaurants in the Coachella Valley participate with special 3 course pre-fixe menus. A great time to try out a new restaurant.
ShortFest Film Festival
TBS late June 2023 – International festival of short films with screenings, panels, and Q&A’s by the actors and directors.
August
Splash House
Two weekends: August 12-14 and 19-21 2022 – Poolside parties with DJ’s, hosted by multiple hotels.
September
Cinema Diverse
TBS – Mid September 2022 – LGBTQ+ Film Festival featuring films, filmmakers, and other forms of LGBTQ+ art and live performances.
The Dinah
September 21-26, 2022 – Five-day weekend getaway and music festival catering to the lesbian community. Featuring pool parties, night entertainment, live concerts, comedy shows, and sports.
October
Modernism Fall Preview
Oct. 13-16, 2022 – A scaled down version of the big February Modernism Week event. A good chance to do the bus tours and some home tours and parties without the crowds.
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
October 8/9 & 15/16 & 22/23, 2022 – Three weekends of open homes and studios in the hi-desert from Morongo Valley to Twentynine Palms. If you like the high desert area, this is a great chance to meet some locals and see some great (and not so great) art.
November
Palm Springs Gay Pride
November 4-6, 2022 – A celebration of the LGBT community featuring a free festival downtown with booths, food, and entertainment. Parade is Sunday down Palm Canyon. Everybody welcome.
La Quinta Art Celebration
November 10-13, 2022 – A scaled down version of their March event. Artists, gourmet food court, cocktails and live entertainment.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
November 18-20 2022 – Held twice a year in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
Palm Springs Wine & Food Experience
November 19, 2022 – Tastings and cooking demonstrations from local chefs.
December
Palm Springs Festival of Lights
December 3, 2022 – Fun and very popular Christmas parade through downtown Palm Springs. Some restaurants offer premium seating on their patios.
International Tamale Festival
December 3/4, 2022 – An outdoor festival in Indio celebrating tamales. From sweet to savory. Look for the booths with the longest lines to know which are best.